Difficult or Painful Urination in Cats

This Difficult or Painful Urination in Cats Article is Listed in Cat Training Cat Breed Information

Dysuria is defined as difficult or painful urination. It is characterized by straining to urinate, frequent attempts at urination, and evidence of discomfort when urinating. Discomfort may be demonstrated by crying out during urination, excessive licking at the urogenital region or turning and looking at the area.

Treatment will depend upon the underlying cause of the problem. It may require:

Antibiotics to treat infections

Surgery to treat stones or a stricture

An anti-inflammatory dose of steroids to treat inflammation

Home Care

Administer as directed any medications prescribed by your veterinarian. Observe your cat’s urination patterns. Make sure urine is being passed in adequate amounts. Observe your cat’s general activity level, appetite and attitude. Make sure your cat has plenty of water and has frequent opportunities to urinate. Follow dietary recommendations of your veterinarian.

Causes

Dysuria may be the result of a number of different causes. These include:

Urinalysis to identify crystals, abnormal cells or evidence of inflammation

Urine culture and sensitivity to identify the presence of infection

Plain abdominal radiographs to assess for the presence of cystic (bladder) calculi (stones)

Contrast cystourethrogram. A radiographic dye study to evaluate for the presence of calculi in either the bladder or urethra. This study will also establish the presence of filling defects that may be masses, areas of inflammation or strictures.

A rectal exam will also be advantageous to assess the size and thickness of the pelvic urethra evaluating for masses, prostatic enlargement, or stones.

Blood tests such as a complete blood count and serum chemistry profile may be needed to assess for changes suggesting infection or elevations in kidney values.

Treatment In-depth

The course of treatment will be dictated by the underlying cause of the problem.

Dysuria caused by the presence of a stone in the urethra may require a technique referred to a retrograde urohydropropulsion. This is when a catheter is advanced to meet the stone and sterile water is flushed under pressure to dislodge the stone and either flush it out of the urethra or back into the bladder.

The presence of stones in the bladder may require either surgery to remove them or in with some types a special diet to dissolve the stones.
Antibiotics to treat for bacterial infection may be required for a short period of time (2 weeks) with a first infection or up to 3 months with recurrent infections.

With granulomatous urethritis the use of steroids to decrease the inflammation and perhaps an antispasmotic agent/smooth muscle relaxant such as prazosin will be necessary.

Some tumors of the bladder or urethra will require surgery to remove and those that are not amenable to surgery will require chemotherapy drugs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Follow-up

Follow-up may require long-term medical management. Also subsequent radiographs may need to be taken or repeat ultrasound examinations. Frequent examinations of the urine and repeat cultures will be required to monitor for infections and response to antibiotic management.